Runway Update
We need to start by thanking the twenty-two members who made donations towards our runway improvements. Thanks to your generosity, we raised $9957 for this project. Without these donations, we would not be able to move forward. THANK YOU!!
The current plan is for the asphalt millings to be delivered on January 20th. They are able to dump them directly onto the runway so it will be much easier to level them. President Jim will begin leveling the runway that same day with his equipment, but it won’t be completed before the weekend. We need a couple of volunteers on Tuesday, January 20th to help with the gates to allow the dump trucks access. We will need multiple volunteers on Saturday the 24th to get the runway in a condition where it is useable. If you are able to help either of these days, contact Jim directly.
Members should assume that the runway will be unusable January 20-24th. Members may fly (hand launched/grass) during this period provided that nobody is working on the runway. No playing while your club mates are working please! Note that the club will be hosting a Cub Scout Rocket launch on the 24th. This event will not interfere with runway work.
From the VP
As discussed at the November club meeting, we have implemented a “Member and Visitor” daily sign-in sheet. The log is currently located in the club house, but we have plans to move it to a waterproof box under the metal awning. The purpose of the log is to get a better idea/count of the actual number of people using the club (recreation) facility each month. That info may be useful in getting the County to throw us a bone every now and then. While use of the log is not mandatory, we are requesting that you log in every time that you go to the club. If you bring any guests, please log them also.
On another subject, I’d like to remind all members that the gates need to remain locked when the County Convenience Drop Off CT
From Safety
Thank you for trusting me to serve as our Safety Officer for 2026. I’ll endeavor to increase our safety awareness and behaviors in a clear and considerate manner. Since ‘Safety of Flight Operations’ is everyone’s business, freely bring your safety concerns and recommendations to me or any member of the CCF Board. Such support will be gratefully received. Additionally, if you witness or are involved in a safety incident in 2026, please notify the CCF Board members immediately.
I don’t have exact details regarding our 2025 Safety Record, but I am aware of at least one self-inflicted personal injury (me). Injuring yourself is an unfortunate consequence of poor individual safety practice, but injuring someone else is intolerable and unacceptable. Working together, we can enjoy our hobby without injuring anyone one or damaging property.
You may have noticed I’ve been wearing an orange safety vest while flying with you during Thursday through Saturday’s flight operations. This is an effort to increase ‘safety awareness’ during ‘flight operations’. The unspoken message is that Safe flight operations is important enough to be monitored and developed. The orange vest person (Designated Flight Operations Safety Officer) will monitor, teach, and direct safety of flight operations as necessary. This will be done in a positive, friendly, and considerate manner.
Regarding Training: Member donations have increased our club trainer aircraft inventory to three 1.5-meter Apprentice S and one AeroScout. The training inventory only includes one DX9 and one DX8e, so we are limited to conducting one Introductory/Training flight at a time. If you have a spare DX transmitter you are willing to donate, please inform me. Additional DX transmitter pairs will allow simultaneous training flights, enabling future public ‘Come and Fly with Us’ recruting efforts. Many Thanks to our thoughtful and generous CCF members!
2026 Membership Drive
CCF ended 2025 with a total of 76 members. (What a change from 2020 when we barely had 20!) Of those, we have 42 members who have not yet paid their 2026 dues, so please do so as soon as possible. To renew your membership, complete the attached form and drop it (and a check) in the box in the clubhouse or mail it to the address on the form. If paying with cash, please make payment to any club officer. The gate locks will be changed soon, and only those who have paid will receive the new combinations. A list of those who have paid 2026 dues is provided at the end of this newsletter.
Rocket Jamboree
On Saturday January 24th CCF will be hosting Cub Scout Pack 488 for their annual Rocket Jamboree from 0930-1300. We are expecting about sixty scouts, ages 5-10 plus chaperones. The scouts will be launching rockets that they built themselves. All launches will be conducted IAW both AMA and National Association of Rocketry Safety Codes and will be supervised by CCF Officers. Depending upon prevailing winds, the launches will occur at either the east or west end of the runway and will not interfere with runway repairs scheduled that day. CCF members
may conduct an RC demonstration pending weather. If you have anyone with an interest in model rocketry, please invite them to attend.
Clay County Flyers Calendar Events
JANUARY 2026
24 Cub Scout Rocket Jamboree (Wx backup 31)
31 Bloody Baron #4
FEBRUARY 2026
14 NAS Jacksonville Sea Scouts
28 Bloody Baron #5
MARCH 2026
28 Bloody Baron #6
APRIL 2026
11 Bloody Baron Weather Make-Up
